Selfless, sweet, and positive, Frances Martha Sund lived a faith-filled life that was rich in family. A loving wife, devoted mother, and proud grandmother, Frances embraced her roles with honor and enthusiasm leading her family by example and celebrating each day as a gift. Cherished by many, Frances’ beautiful life will long inspire those who knew her best.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, 1930 beheld a power of hope that undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there a greater sense of hope than in Pierson, Michigan as Orrie and Clarabelle Smith welcomed their first child Frances into their hearts and home on December 30th.

While Frances was quite young, the Smith family moved to Grand Rapids. Here her father worked at Hayes Manufacturing, while her mother concentrated on running the home and raising Frances and her younger sister, Marilyn. The girls attended Stocking Elementary School.

Frances was very athletic, a tomboy who participated in the Girls Athletic Group at Union High. Frances’ first job was working in Downtown Grand Rapids at the soda fountain at SS Kresge’s Department Store. She later took a job at Union Bank working in auto loans department.

When she was just 17, she met her lifelong sweetheart, Donald Uecker Sund who was 16 at the time. After graduating from High School with the class of 1949, she and Don continued to date and eventually married on January 27th, 1951 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. The happy couple celebrated with a reception at the church where the -12 degree day was much talked about among the guests.

After honeymooning in Chicago, Frances and Don made their home at 325 Pine NW. They became members of Immanuel Lutheran Church. During the next five years, Frances and Don were blessed with the births of their daughter Peggy in December of 1951 and son Gary in November 1954. As their family grew so did their need for a larger space. The young family moved to 1631 Lockhart in 1956 where in November of 1959 they welcomed son Steve, and in January of 1963, their family was completed with the birth of their daughter Linda.

Frances relished in being a mother. She took special pride in keeping a meticulous home and in cooking delicious meals for her family. Sundays centered around a fabulous roast and the bread and rolls the family would rush to get in line to purchase from American Bakery on Bridge St., NW, right after church. Other evenings often featured her amazing goulash, spaghetti, or chili. While her pies were unrivaled, her wonderful custom made animal cakes assured each child’s birthday was a celebration to remember. As Frances and Don felt that a faith-based education was important, they did the work to send all of their children to Immanuel Lutheran School. With the firm foundation of these early school years, the kids later attended and graduated from Union High School. During the summers, the family enjoyed vacationing at various rental cottages on Crockery Lake, Mullett Lake, and Brower Lake for a couple of weeks each summer. They later bought their own cottage on Camp Lake. There they enjoyed filling their summer days with swimming, boating, and fishing.

When the kids grew older, Frances began working in the Central Marking department at Meijer. For 20 years Frances dedicated her skills and kindness to serving the company for 20 years before retiring. During these years she began participating in the Meijer bowling league which she totally enjoyed, as well as the Meijer golf league . She continued golfing with family and friends following her retirement.

Never one to sit still for long, and always driven by her concern for the well-being of others, Frances was very active at church. For many years she volunteered her time with both the Mothers Club and the church Nursery. She also volunteered at Hope Care Network where her kindness and generosity afforded many people much need comfort. Having the opportunity to work with her daughter's special education students proved especially fulfilling for Frances for she was never happier than when she could be of service to someone in need.

A woman of many interests, Frances enjoyed listening to the music of Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, and Neil Diamond and watching her favorite shows on TV including Dr. Oz, Nightly News, and The View. In Don’s good company, Frances loved to search for good reading materials at the Bridge Street and Leonard Street libraries. Each summer, Frances lovingly tended to her backyard garden where she grew the most delicious rhubarb and raspberries, and she always maintained her home where nothing was ever out of place, and a meal off the floor would have been perfectly safe to eat.

Without a doubt, Frances’ grandchildren were her heart’s delight. She lived to share their lives and never missed any of their special events. She attended all their sporting and school events and unfailingly supported each of their endeavors. When her grandchildren blessed her with great-grandchildren Frances’ joy grew even more; she radiated in love and pride and cherished every moment she shared with each of them.

Frances possessed an undauntable faith and embraced each day as a gift. Even in the face of her greatest challenge, being diagnosed with breast cancer on December 4, 2006, Frances chose to be positive. She leaned into her faith and family and bravely faced surgery, radiation, and an uncertain future with a determination to fight for her life. In so doing, she became an even greater inspiration to those who knew her best.

In September of this year, Frances’ health began to diminish, and she was hospitalized for a time in October. Just a week ago Frances was placed under Hospice care. Having learned from the best how to care for those in need, Frances’ family unhesitatingly gathered together to help out in any way they could. With her loving family at her side, Frances was blessed to die in the comforts of her own home on Friday afternoon December 8, 2017.

A woman who embodied her beliefs, with each moment of her life, Frances showed us how to love and learn, give and grow, welcome and risk, forgive and wonder. She taught us how to live. While the world feels less certain in the absence of Frances’ generous spirit, may it afford deep comfort to know that we carry the best of her legacy in our hearts and lives.

Frances Martha Sund, aged 86 of Grand Rapids, passed away at her home in the presence of her loving family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Orrie and Clarabelle Smith. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Donald Sund; her children, Peggy (Charles) Covello, Gary Sund, Steven (Gina) Sund, Linda Sund; her 8 grandchildren, Jay and Rick Sund, Nick and Jill Covello, Jessica (Bill) Poelma, Donald, Clara and Hannah Sund; great-grandchildren, Fulton, John Paul, Maria and Savannah; her sister, Marilyn Stuart; her special Sister/Aunt, Margie White; brother-in-law Ralph Sund; many nieces, nephews and friends. Frances retired from Meijer – Central Marketing, where she worked for 20 years. She was a longtime active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2 Michigan NE, where the service to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, December 12, at 1:30 pm. Entombment in Rosedale Cemetery. Friends and relatives may meet her family at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Home – 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, on Monday from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00, and again at the church on Tuesday from 12:30 until the service begins at 1:30. . Contributions in her memory may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church. To read more about Frances’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com